Broadway tickets
 

What's the safest and cheapest way to get Broadway tickets for next month. There are so many websites I'm not sure which one to use. Thanks!

I have used www.playbill.com for years. You can buy full price tix by clicking on 'Broadway' on the left. But first check out discounts by registering with them and then looking under 'Discounts' also on the left.

Many people also use www.broadwaybox.com

I have used Broadwaybox.com with much success. It is a lot easier than waiting in the tkts lines.

theatermania.com also

I use Playbill.com, Theatermania.com, Broadwaybox.com, also. But, you will be directed to either Telecharge or Ticketmaster for the actual ticket purchases. I have found both to be very safe and reliable.

I, personally, never, ever, purchase tickets through brokers (because I refuse to pay the ridiculous mark-ups).

You could also check the TKTS web site to see which shows are regularly offered there, and take your chances once you've arrived. They take only cash and travelers checks, though.

You can also print current discount codes and take them to the theater to save some of the various processing charges.

I prefer to check the discounts first, and buy tickets online ahead of time so I can select shows and seats.

We're talking about two different things here. The ONLY direct source for Broadway tickets is either Ticketmaster or Telecharge. All shows use one or the other and only that one for their theatre and show. The discount codes being mentioned above are all good, but you still go through either Telecharge or Ticketmaster to use those codes (or you can take the code directly to the theatre once you're in New York and use it at the box office to avoid the big fees -- but you can't call the box office direct).

There are other sources of tickets (scalpers or agencies, which are still scalpers). The only reason to use them for tickets is if there are NO tickets available direct for the dates you are available. I can't think of any reason to use ticketstub or various other agencies to get tickets that you can get direct from Telecharge or Ticketmaster.

TKTS is the way to go. You get tickets the day of the show at a discount. However, you will not get tickets to the top shows, but have a chance of seeing a top Broadway show at a discounted price.

This will give you more info about TKTS:
http://www.tdf.org/TDF_ServicePage.aspx?id=56

Here is a link to view as well for TKTS:
http://www.entertainment-link.com/tkts.asp

TKTS is the way to go. You get tickets the day of the show at a discount. However, you will not get tickets to the top shows, but have a chance of seeing a Broadway show at a discounted price.

This will give you more info about TKTS:
http://www.tdf.org/TDF_ServicePage.aspx?id=56

Here is a link to view as well for TKTS:
http://www.entertainment-link.com/tkts.asp

I would go right to ticketmaster.com. I get great prices, even after the fees and more importantly, the best availability there. I would look at other sites first, then go to ticketmaster and as soon as you see the date and seat you want, buy it! If you don't mind seats at the back of the theatre, you can also do very well on price. I can't stand hours in line, so Shakespeare in the Park is out for me, I don't don't want to wait, don't want to go into the city not knowing what I will see, so TKTS is not for me either. Have fun.

I have had excellent success with www.broadwaybox.com and I have been bewildered by friends and relatives who refuse to use this service when I have recommend it to them.

Trust me. Look no further. Broadwaybox gives you a code that you use with whatever ticket service is selling tickets for the shows you want to see.

You get EXACTLY the same seats with a discount as you would have gotten if you looked for seats without using the Broadwaybox code!

<<Trust me. Look no further. Broadwaybox gives you a code that you use with whatever ticket service is selling tickets for the shows you want to see.

You get EXACTLY the same seats with a discount as you would have gotten if you looked for seats without using the Broadwaybox code!>>

When looking for tickets a few days ago to "August: Osage County", Broadwaybox had a discount code for front mezzanine seats for $69.50, but there was a code on Playbill for Orchestra or Front Mezzanine seats for $66.50. Best seats available with the discount code in Orchestra were Row P center (the last row). With a search for regular priced tickets, seats were available in Row M center. Since seats were available for first row center of the mezzanine (over Row H), I bought those.

It's best, I think, to check ALL the resources for discount codes and best seats available. In my experience, they are NOT all the same, and seats available vary depending on the code.

I have found, as well, that sometimes when booking with a discount code, I don't get the best seats available. Very often I can find the best seats not using a code. Also, be sure to use telecharge's "Let me see the next set of seats at this performance" option. Sometimes this allows you to, for example, get more centered tickets a few rows back, as opposed to closer tickets on the side.

A lot of discounts are not available for Saturday evening (though some are) so keep that in mind as you're planning your trip.

Enjoy the city!

Until very recently, nearly all discount codes have been for "any seat available", but recently some discount codes are only for selected seats, eliminating some of the best ones still available. That's still pretty rare, however, in my experience, and MOST discount codes will allow you to have whatever seat you want if still available.

Also, I rarely book online with the codes. Their idea of "best" and mine are often two different things. I find that when I call and talk to a human with the seating chart in front of me, I can often get seats I like better. For example. They will call third row mezzanine in the center "best" when I'd prefer front row of the side mezzanine.

Good point, NeoPatrick. I've had good luck using the same procedure when seats given to me via the automatic procedure didn't please.

bkmg